Student protesters not embracing redicalism, say observers

Student protesters not embracing redicalism, say observers

JAKARTA (JP): Reports of violence, the large numbers attending
almost daily demonstrations and demands like "total reform" have
raised questions about whether students have really become
radical. In a society brought up to appreciate stability, the
word is not at all comforting although everyone is clamoring for
prices to come down.

Observers and former activists say that from indications
revealed to date the students are not showing signs of
radicalism, an orientation toward fast and fundamental change.

This, they say, is mainly because ideology is no longer an
issue compared to 1966 when students demanded the banning of the
Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

However they add further development depends a lot on the
government's response to demands.

"Pay attention to the key word: reform," says Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja, a former chairman of the Bandung Institute of
Technology (ITB) student council and one of the "1966 Generation"
activists.

"Students are only demanding that leaders reform themselves
morally, to stop corruption, nepotism and collusion. No one has
tinkered with Pancasila ideology or the 1945 Constitution."

Islamic scholar Nurcholis Madjid, former chairman of the
Association of Moslem Students, said student actions now center
on economic and political reforms.

"In 1966, student movements easily became radical because they
were confronted with the atheist PKI," he said.

But now, everybody has the same ideology, Pancasila. Moreover,
he said, students have yet to unite in wanting either gradual or
immediate, total reform. Such a situation makes it hard for
radicalism to emerge, he said.

Riswandha Imawan, a political scientist from Gadjah Mada
University in Yogyakarta, shared Nurcholis' view but warned that
students could eventually get radical if the authorities
responded to their protests repressively.

Sarwono and Jumhur Hidayat, also a former activist at ITB,
also remarked that a violent response would only beget more
violence.

Jumhur was expelled from ITB in 1989 by rector Wiranto
Arismunandar (currently minister of education and culture) for
leading a protest against the then visiting minister of home
affairs Rudini to the campus. He and five other students served
four years in jail.

Common

Now the executive director of the Center for Information and
Development Studies, Jumhur said students could not be blamed if
they turned violent.

"They see in their daily lives that violence is commonly
pursued by our police and military personnel.

"I believe students would behave in a more friendly manner if
treated more humanely. Just allow them to organize their
demonstrations."

But like other observers he warned, "Their actions could
escalate if the government does not pursue the reforms," he said.

Arbi Sanit from the University of Indonesia also said
repressive measures would only unite student movements across the
country, which have so far surfaced almost simultaneously without
coordination.

Besides feeling they must be a moral force, the professor said
students are also affected directly. Many are finding it
difficult to pay tuition fees, he said, and could not afford to
buy books and pay for photocopying.

Observers and former activists say it won't be only students
yelling on the streets if the public becomes convinced that no
improvement is in sight.

"We might see hundreds of thousands of people on the streets,
but I don't know when," said Sarwono.

Even without physical violence, Arbi said, "I'm sure that
demonstrations will get bigger and be joined by many parties,
once all interests are affected." (team)